AJ Cole becomes Las Vegas’ longest-tenured special teams constant as Joe DeCamillis reworks units

The most important work on special teams can be the least visible, and for the Las Vegas Raiders that reality is centering on punter AJ Cole. A report from Yahoo Sports highlights Cole as the longest-tenured Raiders special teamer, a status that matters in a phase of the game where timing between the long snapper, holder, and place kicker can define outcomes on every week of the NFL season.

Cole, 30, stands out not because of a spotlight role, but because of continuity. Yahoo Sports notes that a number of new faces have surrounded the Raiders’ special teams, while coach Joe DeCamillis continues to reshape the group. In that context, the punter’s presence becomes more than a roster fact. Special teams requires repetitions that build rhythm across roles, and a single unit changing too quickly can widen the margins for error on fielding, punting sequences, and kick plays.

The broader emphasis from the report is on the “operation” between linked duties. Those exchanges, especially on punts and place-kick-related work, are often treated like routine until they are not, when timing breaks down or the working relationships that govern cadence and decision-making are unsettled. DeCamillis’ approach, as described by Yahoo Sports, is aimed at improvement after what the report characterizes as a downward trend in the unit’s results.

That downward trajectory is part of why Cole’s tenured standing is more than a footnote. When a team brings in new specialists and adjusts responsibilities, the veteran who has remained becomes a reference point for what is expected in alignment, communication, and game-day execution. Cole’s role in that environment is inherently indirect, but in special teams, indirect roles can be the difference between a clean operation and one that has to recover mid-play.

For Raiders fans, the key question moving forward is how quickly the new-look unit can synchronize with the coaching changes. The best version of special teams is built in layers, from the snap and hold relationship to the punt return and coverage patterns, and it is refined through consistency. With Cole anchored in place, Las Vegas may find it easier to establish a stable baseline while other pieces settle into their roles under DeCamillis.

The report also underscores the human side of special teams transition. Even when athletes are talented, the offseason is not always enough to smooth the coordination required when jobs shift or when different personnel take over key responsibilities. Cole’s tenure suggests the Raiders are trying to keep at least one crucial piece stable while they pursue improvements elsewhere.

What to watch next is whether the Raiders’ special teams look more cohesive in the early phases of game action, particularly in sequences that rely on timing rather than pure athleticism. If the unit’s communication and coordination improve under DeCamillis and the new faces accelerate into the system, Cole’s “longest-tenured” label could become a quiet advantage rather than just an interesting roster note.